4A: State Qualifiers Seeds 1-3

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below I will be highlighting the 4A class and their state qualifiers. These teams worked hard all season long to get here but they aren't done yet. They have all showed dedicated, hardworking, consistency, and heart on their journeys this season getting them to this point. For some it will end in tears of joy, for others it'll be tears of sadness but either way, every team in this tournament is going to leave everything they can out on the floor. No matter what, ALL teams should all have their heads held high and be proud, to make it to state and be a top eight team in your class by the end of a season is no joke and should be applauded. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>#1 Dallas Center-Grimes (20-3)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DCG has made it to the state tournament once again, this season it comes after putting together an impressive campaign of 20-3 up until this point. The Mustangs are not only returning to the state once again in normal fashion but they are doing at as the #1 seed in the 4A class this time around. A powerful position to be put in, giving them a nice road to the state championship if they can come to play and make each game competitive how they have been, up until now. They will look to tip off their quarter-final game on Tuesday, February 28th at 11:45am against the #8 seed Glenwood Rams. A matchup that will feature two ELITE scorers so be ready for the fireworks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["246106"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"In a group of players where the senior leadership is a major key, [player_tooltip player_id='246106' first='Vanessa' last='Bickford'] has main her presence known as one of the best overall players on this Mustangs team. She has put on a great performance for her junior season, showing that she is a player that can contribute in a number of ways. Throughout their first 23 games this season she has been averaging 8.8 PPG, 3.7 RPG, and 4.3 APG. That ranks third on her team in scoring, second in rebounds and first in assists, only following behind some seniors that have been ball dominate this year. With all that taken into effect I think it speaks to how much production her team has when she is on the floor and leading the charge. I'll be looking to see how Bickford matches up with Glenwood's star player, who is also a ball savvy guard. It'll be a tough matchup for both sides so we will just have to see what happens.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["127617"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='127617' first='Emma' last='Miner'] has been the power forward of a coaches dream this season. Putting up impressive numbers with possessing great size and athleticism. Miner is player to be known. If this group is going to make it to the state championship and have a chance to win it, Miner is going to have to be on her game per usual. She poses a big matchup problem for other programs as it's really tough to guard her one on one with the skill she possesses. If you switch to a zone then she does a good job of rebounding and giving her team extra possessions or extra shot attempts. Something under appreciated in my opinion. Miner has been the counter-part to Bickford. These two have played u0022their gameu0022 all season long and as long as that continues, they are going to be tough to stop.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["63023"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"The third major contributor for this DCG Mustangs team is [player_tooltip player_id='63023' first='Finley' last='Fitzgerald']. Finley is an off-guard who does a little bit of everything. She does a great job of getting her own shots when she needs to or when Bickford maybe having an off night. She is going to be another player that opposing teams need to factor into their defensive game plan while matching up. If she sees the ball go through the hoop a few times and it builds confidence, it could be a long night for an opposing team. The most important factor I see coming from Finley this next week is just showing up to play and being consistent for her team. If she does that then it's all good and this team is going to find a lot of success during this playoff run. She has been consistent all season and I anticipate to see her best at the state tournament come game time.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f949d22bf75"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>#2 North Polk (21-2) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The North Polk Comets punched their tickets to Wells Fargo and the state tournament after a big 19 point victory in the 4A Class-Region 2 championship. This gives the Comets a 21-2 record throughout their first 23 game this season and up until the state playoff. The Comets will receive the #2 seed in this class, setting up their opponent to be the #7 seed Clear Creek Amana. A team that is not going to be just a walk-over but can really compete on both sides of the floors, at all positions as well. Individual matchup wise is what it's really going to come down to in this game. Both programs have star players, playmakers, senior leadership, and great coaching staffs to back them. This one should be an instant classic but who knows. All I know is both teams are going to be well prepared and ready to roll.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["311383"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='311383' first='Abby' last='Tuttle'] and the North Polk Comets have yet again put together a season to remember. Tuttle would be the type of player when it comes to her passing ability where many would say she is a u0022point-godu0022 compared to a u0022point guardu0022. The Sophomore put on a passing clinic this past season and will continue to do so going into the state playoff. Throughout their 23 games she has 127 assists. Ranking her as one of the top assists leaders in the state throughout all classes and averaging out to just under 6 APG. On top of that she is putting up 11.1 PPG, 1.7 SPG, and 4.5 RPG. Accounting to all of these numbers, you can say that her season has been impressive at the least. The Comets are going to need this play to continue if they want to win some games. Their first round matchup will be interesting as CCA has some good guards they can throw at her on defense to see who does the best, If not one can stop her from creating though then it's going to be a long evening and the Comets will move on. If CCA can get some stops then this one becomes much more intriguing throughout the longevity of the contest.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["63011"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='63011' first='Makayla' last='Boatman'] is the thing that keeps this group going on the offensive side of the floor. If she is having a rough day then it could be a long one for the Comets but up to this point, she has been consistent to say the least, averaging just over 17 PPG from the off-guard position. While averaging those numbers she is doing it on 39% shooting from the field, 35% from behind the three point line, and 83.5% from the free throw stripe. Numbers this team will need to stay consistent as they move closer and closer to a state championship. This group is special with some promise. The play of Boatman and Tuttle have really carried this team this season along with some other key players stepping up in big moments. If this group can keep their momentum and leave it all on the floor. They will have a good chance against CCA and in their Semi-final matchup as well.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63fa4ebce15e6"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>#3 - Bishop Heelan (22-2)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bishop Heelan, like a lot of other teams this season in their regional, had a closer game in their second round matchup compared to their region 3 championship. In their second round game they squeaked passed LeMars high school by a score of 46-38. A little closer than their championship game where they ended up winning by 20 VS Spencer high school. A game in which Spencer didn't score double digits in a single quarter while BH only scored double digits in the first and third quarter. So to say this was a low scoring game would be an understatement. Looking forward Bishop Heelan is going to be tasked with playing one of the only teams they lost to this season in the Xavier Saints. The Saints beat BH to start of their season this year, a game that is so far in the rear-view mirror that it could be considered last season in my opinion. Both of these teams are completely different from what they were at beginning of the year and that's going to show. Xavier is the returning state champs so if BH can get the job done and take them out, they will be looked on as one of the favorites moving into the Semi's. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["246111"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='246111' first='Brooklyn' last='Stanley'] plays with a tenacity and dedication you don't see from most. She leaves everything out on the floor. Wether it's diving for loose balls, guarding her opponent full court, or being supportive for her teammates, you always know that Stanley is giving it her all. This is just one of many reasons as to why this group has put together the season they have up until this point in the year. Stanley is the leader of this squad, averaging 14 PPG on 48% shooting along with dishing out 3.5 APG from her guard position. Two numbers that need to stay consistent through this playoff ran for the Crusaders. Stanley shows promise. I like her game and think it will definitely be able to translate to the college level if she were to choose so but for right now she Is worried about one thing and one thing only, beating the Xavier Saints next week in their first round matchup and moving one step closer to being named a state champion.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63fa4ebce164b"} /-->